Title - Name
Local Action Group (LAG) Terre dell'Etna e dell'Alcantara
Scope / Sector / Industry
Rural tourism
Country / Region
Italy, Mount Etna in Sicily
Why is it good practice?
The work of the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG is a good example of sustainable local rural management, as it demonstrates how the use of a European programme, such as the LEADER programme, can bring about positive development outcomes in rural areas through the strategic management of the tourism products and services it has to offer.
How is it applied?
The Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara Local Action Group (LAG) is a consortium established under the LEADER+ programme in the Etna and Alcantara regions of Sicily. It is represented by the local authorities within the Etna and Alcantara Valley area, the two nature park management bodies located in the area (Etna Park and Alcantara River Park) and the two universities also situated in the same area. The LAG comprises private partners, research bodies and institutes, conservation organisations, regional authorities and associations promoting local products, as well as numerous cultural, environmental and other associations. In total, the partnership consists of 104 partners, of which 28 are public and 76 private.
The Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG partnership operates in an area comprising 26 municipalities in the province of Catania and includes seven protected areas (parks and nature reserves). The area is characterised by a significant agricultural landscape, with crops cultivated using traditional methods, such as vineyards growing on terraces on lava soils, apple orchards reaching the highest altitudes of Mount Etna, terraced citrus groves in the Sicilian Ionian Riviera area, and buildings of particular architectural heritage.
As part of the implementation of the Leader+ programme, the LAG has sought to support local stakeholders and authorities in considering the region’s development potential from a long-term perspective, through the promotion and implementation of integrated sustainable development strategies that capitalise on the natural and cultural heritage, strengthen the local economy in order to create jobs and improve the organisational capacity of local communities.
The main objective of the Leader+ programme was to make use of local environmental (parks and nature reserves) and cultural resources to create tourist trails through their sustainable management. The planned investment was worth more than EUR 13 million and funded the renovation of façades and the refurbishment of properties of historical, cultural and rural significance. Other key activities of the programme included:
- the creation of natural, cultural, gastronomic and traditional tourist routes
- the implementation of marketing policies to promote the area
- promotion of local products and services
- vocational training in the above areas
- transnational and local cooperation with other LAGs in the field of sustainable tourism
One of the main objectives of the LAG was to increase the economic return generated by tourist flows, focusing on increasing the per capita expenditure of tourists and visitors (and therefore the overall economic return), whilst avoiding overcrowding and maintaining the area’s carrying capacity. In this context, it was important to enhance the region’s appeal by focusing on promoting the quality and uniqueness of the resources found there.
As regards the tourist attractions, nature trails (of varying degrees of difficulty) have been created, with routes leading to small traditional villages. To date, a total of 21 trails are available in the Etna and Alcantara Valley nature parks. In the Etna Park, 13 walking trails have been created, one of which is suitable for cycling, and one trail has been designed to be accessible to all. In the Alcantara Valley Park, 8 nature and heritage trails have been created, two of which are accessible to people with disabilities.
For these trails, relevant information is provided, such as the level of difficulty, distance and journey time, points of interest (historical, archaeological, natural, etc.), information points, route descriptions, photos and maps. Where routes are accessible to people with disabilities, this information is provided. Suggestions for accommodation, dining, local produce and events are also included.
It is worth noting that the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara Local Development Plan has been drawn up as part of the implementation of the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara PPA in order to define the future development objectives and actions for the area. The plan aimed to
- the protection of the rural heritage,
- the creation and development of small businesses,
- promoting the region and local produce,
- improving rural and commercial services,
- promoting tourism and protecting the artistic and cultural heritage.
Where is it applied?
The sustainable management of the Etna area by the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG is aimed at improving the economic well-being of rural areas and the local population, whilst visitors to the area also benefit directly from the improved products and services provided through its strategic management.
When did it apply?
The Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG was established in 2004.
Results
As a result of the initiatives undertaken by the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara PTA, an integrated tourism product has been developed in the area (nature trails), which is promoted and well-known, brings economic benefits to the local community and contributes to the area’s development, whilst enabling nature lovers to experience a unique natural landscape.
Other information
LAGs are local partnerships established as part of the implementation of the European LEADER programmes. LEADER is the participatory, bottom-up approach used by the European Union to ensure the involvement of local communities in the development processes of rural, coastal and urban areas. The LAGs are composed of representatives of local public and private socio-economic interests, whose existence, tasks and objectives (promoting the local development of a region) are set out in European standards.
As part of its efforts to develop new initiatives, the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG took part in the EmbleMatiC cross-border project, the aim of which was to create and test a new tourism offering based on the characteristics of the mountains in the cross-border area and to develop an alternative tourism proposal emphasising the sustainable and responsible management of tourist flows and greater involvement of local residents and stakeholders.
Official website of the Terre dell’Etna e dell’Alcantara LAG: https://galetnaalcantara.com/home/